[Dajana] Well, we attend the ROCK HARD FESTIVAL to meet family. Of course, bands are important too - this year less than the other years before, because the billing left much to be desired. Except for: POSSESSED, SYMPHONY X and SKID ROW! To be honest, most time of the festival I had an attention deficit. I liked many bands but only for around 30 minutes than they got boring to me. Odd but it was that way.

[Psycho] What can I say about the ROCK HARD FESTIVAL 2019? It was definitely mixed. Fears about band qualities got partly confirmed. But there were also unexpected and pleasant surprises, which, in my opinion, is no unessential part for the success of a festival. Though, we got nostalgic when seeing fans with shirts of past RHF editions with much greater bands on the billing. It is especially unfortunate, when you decide for expensive headliners at the expense of the overall budget and those do not deliver. This did not happen the first time to the RHF organizers. And they also had again not the right touch to position the bands on the single days. Perhaps something that might be reconsidered.
The decision to open the Friday for all genres instead of keeping the “Heavy Friday” is a mistake in my opinion. Traditionally, the Friday is always the worst-attended one, but I have never seen the Amphitheater so empty before. There they need to set significant accents next time. Generally, this year’s edition might stress calculations. I’m sure, the organizers did not reach the amount of attendees they needed. What that means of the planning next year remains to be seen.
I generally had the feeling that the organizers were saving at different points. Instead of professional staff at the booths we got inexperienced and temporary people. The number of mobile sellers seemed to be reduced too. No idea, if the RHF makers have even an influence on this. Though, it all fits in an overall image.
Musically there were hardly any lights (SKID ROW, POSSESSED and ANTHRAX), a lot of average, and some harsh disappointments. Of course, the organizers cannot be blamed when a band catches a bad day or for the weather, but all in all it was the weakest ROCK HARD FESTIVAL to me. I’m much hoping for the next year.

[BRT] As usual there was light and shadow at this festival, but not more that in the previous years. About the quality of the billing one can argue as much and as long as possible and will not find a common denominator in this matter, as our different reactions to the bands prove. And that is exactly what makes this festival special.
My highlights were: LIZZY BORDEN, HEIR APPARENT, SYMPHONY X, VISIGOTH and POSSESSED. Absolutely unnecessary GAMMA RAY was. And the spot THE OBSESSED left with its cancellation cannot be filled with a band such as ZODIAC, in my opinion.

[Öko] I only attended the Friday and the Saturday, so I cannot deliver an overall summary. That is why I just name top and flop.
Highlights to me were: CHAPEL OF DISEASE, SKID ROW, THE VINTAGE CARAVAN and TYLER LEADS. Flops: LIZZY BORDEN, THE IDIOTS and GAMMA RAY.

[Terry] After a longer time with no ROCK HARD FESTIVAL I was quite full of expectations. Billing was ok to me, except for the headliners, which proved their turn-off factor, except for ANTHRAX. It was definitely a pleasure to be there and to meet so many friends and music junkies. But yes, mood in the pit and on the circles I already have experienced much livelier and jolly. So my summary is restrainedly positive.
I would like to agree that a heavier Friday makes sense. To me, Thrash and Death Metal fell short this year, although I have to say, I could not do anything with the CARNIVORE A.D. show. As for that I found POSSESSED, CHAPEL OF DISEASE and even CANNIBAL CORPSE strong. Too bad that VISIGOTH and FIFTH ANGEL did not deliver as expected, as for that LIZZY BORDEN, SKID ROW, SYMPHONY X, HEIR APPARENT, THE VINTAGE CARAVAN and LONG DISTANCE CALLING did it right and it was a pleasure watching them performing live. Will I be there next year? Let’s see!

story • Psycho, BRT, Öko, Terry, Dajana • pics © Dajana & Dajana Winkel • Photography